Mediwave Introduces the Inaugural Connected Ambulance Enhanced by Mixed Reality and AI

By DaMarko Webster

In a groundbreaking alliance, Mediwave, the digital healthcare division of Wavenet headquartered in Singapore, has joined forces with 1990 Suwa Seriya, Sri Lanka’s national pre-hospital emergency ambulance service, to revolutionize life-saving emergency care through the integration of Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This collaboration has given rise to a fully Connected Ambulance, propelled by Mediwave’s comprehensive Emergency Response Suite, which has been officially unveiled in Sri Lanka.

Mediwave’s Emergency Response Suite introduces a digital transformation to critical processes within the emergency healthcare system, ensuring rapid response times and delivering specialized care remotely, all while utilizing Microsoft HoloLens. Equipped with cutting-edge communication tools, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), and Augmented Reality (AR) capabilities, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) can remotely connect with Physicians at the Emergency Command and Control Centre (ECCC). This allows for the monitoring of vital signs and the provision of specialized care before reaching the hospital, significantly enhancing care during the crucial golden hour of medical emergencies.

Impressively, 1990 Suwa Seriya has achieved a remarkable response time of 11 minutes and 38 seconds for medical emergencies, surpassing benchmarks set by some developed countries. The emergency service personnel undergo training utilizing AR simulations, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle diverse and challenging emergencies. Additionally, the implementation of a speech-to-text, AI-powered transcriber by Mediwave digitizes Electronic Patient Care Records (ePCR), eliminating delays in Emergency Treatment Units and minimizing the risk of human error.

Suren Pinto, Chief Executive Officer of Mediwave, expressed pride in empowering Sri Lanka’s exclusive pre-hospital emergency ambulance service, 1990 Suwa Seriya. Pinto emphasized the intersection of AR and AI within their pioneering efforts, centered around the first-of-its-kind Emergency Response Suite, which seamlessly enhances the efficiency of emergency services.

During the launch event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Health Minister Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana declared, “Our national emergency ambulance service operates a fleet of 322 ambulances. Our commitment extends to expanding this service further with life-enhancing technology to make emergency healthcare accessible.”

This groundbreaking initiative marks a paradigm shift in pre-hospital emergency management, setting a precedent for effective emergency response systems globally and showcasing the transformative potential of AI and Mixed Reality on a grand scale.